Flavor assembly for electronic vaping device

ABSTRACT

A flavor assembly for an e-vaping device cartridge encloses a porous structure that enables elution of flavorants from the structure to form a flavored vapor. The structure may include a three-dimensional network of material. The flavorant may be infused in the material. The material may include a botanical material. The material may draw the flavorant from a reservoir. The flavor assembly may direct a raw vapor formed by a vaporizer assembly to pass through the porous structure, so that the flavorant is eluted from the structure into the vapor to form the flavored vapor. The flavor assembly may be removably coupled with a vaporizer assembly. The flavor assembly may be removably received into a flavor assembly compartment. The flavor assembly compartment may be removably coupled to a vaporizer assembly. Flavor assemblies may be swapped from the e-vaping device to enable swapping of flavors provided to adult vapors during vaping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application relates to U.S. applicationSer. No. ______, titled “METHODS TO ADD MENTHOL, BOTANIC MATERIALS,AND/OR NON-BOTANIC MATERIALS TO A CARTRIDGE, AND/OR AN ELECTRONIC VAPINGDEVICE INCLUDING THE CARTRIDGE,” filed concurrently herewith (Atty.Docket Number 24000-000234-US), the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic vaping or e-vapingdevice.

Description of Related Art

E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices(EVDs) may be used by adult vapers for portable vaping. Flavored vaporswithin an e-vaping device may be used to deliver a pleasurable flavoralong with the vapor that may be produced by the e-vaping device. Theflavored vapors may be delivered via a flavor system.

In some cases, a loss of flavoring in a flavored vapor from a flavorsystem may occur when the flavor system is exposed to a heat source. Insome cases, a loss of flavoring in a flavored vapor may occur as aresult of chemical reactions between the flavor system and vapors whenthe vapors are at a sufficiently high temperature.

Such a loss of flavoring from a flavoring system may reduce a sensoryexperience provided by an e-vaping device in which the flavoring systemis included.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, a cartridge for an electronicvaping device (EVD) includes a vaporizer assembly and a flavor assembly.The vaporizer assembly may form a raw vapor. The flavor assembly may beremovably coupled to the vaporizer assembly such that the flavorassembly is in flow communication with the vaporizer assembly. Theflavor assembly may enclose a porous structure. The porous structure mayhold at least one flavorant. The flavor assembly may be configured toform a flavored vapor based on elution of the at least one flavorantinto the raw vapor. The elution may be based on the raw vapor passingthrough the porous structure.

In some example embodiments, the porous structure may include athree-dimensional (3D) network of material. The material may besubstantially inert with respect to the raw vapor. The material may beat least partially infused with the at least one flavorant. The materialmay include at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanicalsubstance including the at least one flavorant.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoirand the porous structure may include a wicking material. The reservoirmay be configured to hold the at least one flavorant. The wickingmaterial may be configured to draw the at least one flavorant from thereservoir.

In some example embodiments, the reservoir may be a hollow cylinderhaving an inner surface, and the porous structure may extend along theinner surface of the reservoir.

According to some example embodiments, a flavor assembly includes aporous structure that may be configured to be removably coupled to avaporizer assembly. The porous structure may be configured to form aflavored vapor based on elution of a flavorant into a raw vapor passingfrom the vaporizer assembly through the porous structure. The porousstructure may include a three-dimensional (3D) network of material andat least one flavorant held in flow communication with an externalenvironment of the flavor assembly by the 3D network of material. Thematerial may be substantially inert respective to the raw vapor.

In some example embodiments, the material may be at least partiallyinfused with the at least one flavorant. The material may include atleast one botanical substance, the at least one botanical substanceincluding the at least one flavorant.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoirconfigured to hold the at least one flavorant. The porous structure mayinclude a wicking material configured to draw the at least one flavorantfrom the reservoir.

In some example embodiments, the reservoir may be a hollow cylinderhaving an inner surface, and the porous structure may extend along theinner surface of the reservoir.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may be configured to beremovably inserted into a flavor assembly compartment of an e-vapingdevice such that the flavor assembly is held in flow communication witha vaporizer assembly of the e-vaping device. The porous structure may beconfigured to direct raw vapors formed by the vaporizer assembly throughthe 3D network of material, such that the at least one flavorant iseluted from the 3D network of material and into the raw vapors to formflavored vapors.

According to some example embodiments, a flavor assembly module for anelectronic vaping device (EVD) includes an interface, a flavor assemblycompartment, and a conduit extending between the interface and theflavor assembly compartment. The interface may be configured toremovably couple with a vaporizer assembly. The flavor assemblycompartment may be configured to hold a flavor assembly. The conduit maybe configured to direct raw vapor from the vapor assembly to the flavorassembly compartment. The flavor assembly compartment may be configuredto direct the raw vapor received from the conduit to pass through theflavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes at least one flavorantfrom the flavor assembly to form a flavored vapor.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly compartment may beconfigured to removably receive the flavor assembly.

According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device includes avaporizer assembly holding a vaporizer assembly, a flavor assemblycompartment holding a flavor assembly in flow communication with thevaporizer assembly, and a power supply section configured to selectivelysupply power to the vaporizer assembly. The vaporizer assembly may beconfigured to form a raw vapor. The flavor assembly may enclose a porousstructure holding at least one flavorant. The flavor assemblycompartment gray be configured to direct the raw vapor through theflavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes the at least oneflavorant from the porous structure to form a flavored vapor.

In some example embodiments, the porous structure may include athree-dimensional (3D) network of material. The material may besubstantially inert with respect to the raw vapor. The material may beat least partially infused with the at least one flavorant. The materialmay include at least one botanical substance, the at least one botanicalsubstance including the at least one flavorant.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly may include a reservoirand the porous structure may include a wicking material. The reservoirmay be configured to hold the at least one flavorant. The wickingmaterial may be configured to draw the at least one flavorant from thereservoir.

In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device may further include apartition between the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizerassembly compartment. The partition may include a conduit. The conduitmay extend through the partition and may be in flu communication withboth the flavor assembly compartment and the vaporizer assemblycompartment.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly compartment may beconfigured to removably receive the flavor assembly.

In some example embodiments, the vaporizer assembly compartment may beconfigured to removably receive the vaporizer assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB′ of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flavor assembly according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a porous structure for a flavor assemblyaccording to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a flavor assembly module and avaporizer assembly module according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge formed via a couplingof a flavor assembly module and a vaporizer assembly module according tosome example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of exampleembodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, elements, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, elements, regions, layers,and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, element, region, layer, or sectionfrom another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, element,region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, element, region, layer, or section without departing from theteachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification., specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or elements, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, elements, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device 10 according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB′of the e-vaping device of FIG. 1A. The e-vaping device 10 may includeone or more of the features set forth in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al. filed Jan. 31, 2013 andU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192619 to Tucker et al.filed Jan. 14, 2013, the entire contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference thereto. As used herein, the term“e-vaping device” is inclusive of all types of electronic vapingdevices, regardless of form, size or shape.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an e-vaping device 10 includes areplaceable cartridge (or first section) 70 and a reusable power supplysection or second section) 72. The sections 70, 72 may be coupledtogether at complimentary interfaces 74, 84 of the respective sections70, 72.

In some example embodiments, the interfaces 74, 84 are threadedconnectors. It should be appreciated that an interface 74, 84 may be anytype of connector, including, without limitation, a snug-fit, detent,clamp, bayonet, and clasp. One or more of the interfaces 74, 84 mayinclude a cathode connector, anode connector, some combination thereof,etc. to electrically couple one or more elements of the cartridge 70 toone or more power supplies 12 in the power supply section 72 when theinterfaces 74, 84 are coupled together. As shown in FIG. 1B, forexample, interface 74 includes a connector element 91 configured toelectrically couple at least one of the leads 26-1, 26-2 to the heater24 to the power supply 12 when interfaces 74, 84 are coupled together.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, in some example embodiments, an outletend insert 19 may be positioned at an outlet end of the cartridge 70.The outlet end insert 19 includes at least one outlet port 21 that maybe located off-axis from the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device10. One or more of the outlet ports 21 may be angled outwardly inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10. Multipleoutlet ports 21 may be uniformly or substantially uniformly distributedabout the perimeter of the outlet end insert 19 so as to substantiallyuniformly distribute vapor drawn through the outlet end insert 19 duringvaping. Thus, as a vapor is drawn through the outlet end insert 19, thevapor may move in different directions.

The cartridge 70 includes an outer housing 16 extending in alongitudinal direction and an inner tube 62 coaxially positioned withinthe outer housing 16. The power supply section 72 includes an outerhousing 17 extending in a longitudinal direction. In some exampleembodiments, the outer housing 16 may be a single tube housing both thecartridge 70 and the power supply section 72 and the entire e-vapingdevice 10 may be disposable. The outer housing 16 may have a generallycylindrical cross-section. In some example embodiments, the outerhousing 16 may have a generally triangular cross-section along one ormore of the cartridge 70 and the power supply section 72. In someexample embodiments, the outer housing 16 may have a greatercircumference or dimensions at a tip end than at an outlet end of thee-vaping device 10.

The cartridge 70 includes a vaporizer assembly 22 and a flavor assembly14. The vaporizer assembly 22 may form a raw vapor, and the flavorassembly 14 may form a flavored vapor based on elution of one or m orevolatile flavor substances into the raw vapor formed by the vaporizerassembly 22.

The vaporizer assembly 22 may include inner tube 62, gasket 15, gasket27, a reservoir 23 configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, adispensing interface 25 configured to draw pre-vapor formulation fromthe reservoir 23, and a heater 24 configured to vaporize the drawnpre-vapor formulation.

At one end of the inner tube 62, a nose portion 29 of gasket (or seal)15 is fitted into an end portion of the inner tube 62. An outerperimeter of the gasket 15 may provide a substantially airtight sealwith an interior surface of the outer housing 16. The gasket 15 includesa longitudinal passage 64 that opens into an interior of the inner tube62 that defines a channel 20. A space 35 at a backside portion of thegasket 15 assures communication between the passage 64 and one or moreair inlet ports 44 located between the gasket 15 and a connector element91. The connector element 91 may be included in the interface 74.

In some example embodiments, a nose portion 18 of gasket 27 is fittedinto another end portion of the inner tube 62. An outer perimeter of thegasket 27 may provide a substantially airtight seal with an interiorsurface of the outer housing 16. The gasket 27 includes a passage 63disposed between the channel 20 of the inner tube 62 and the interior ofan outlet end insert 19. The central passage 63 may transport a vaporfrom the central channel 20 to the outlet end insert 19 via the flavorassembly 14.

In some example embodiments, at least one air inlet port 44 may beformed in the outer housing 16, adjacent to the interface 74 to minimizethe probability of an adult vaper's fingers occluding one of the portsand to control the resistance-to-draw (RTD) during vaping. In someexample embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be machined into theouter housing 16 with precision tooling such that their diameters areclosely controlled and replicated from one e-vaping device 10 to thenext during manufacture.

In some example embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be drilled withcarbide drill bits or other high-precision tools and/or techniques. Insome example embodiments, the outer housing 16 may be formed of metal ormetal alloys such that the size and shape of the air inlet ports 44 maynot be altered during manufacturing operations, packaging, and vaping.Thus, the air inlet ports 44 may provide consistent RTD. In some exampleembodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may be sized and configured suchthat the e-vaping device 10 has a RTD in the range of from about 60 mmH₂O to about 150 mm H₂O.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the reservoir 23 may include apre-vapor formulation. The space defined between the gaskets 27 and 15,the outer housing 16 and the inner tube 62 may establish the confines ofthe reservoir 23, such that the reservoir 23 may be contained in anouter annulus between the inner tube 62, the outer housing 16 and thegaskets 27 and 15. Thus, the reservoir 23 may at least partiallysurround the channel 20.

The dispensing interface 25 is coupled to the reservoir 23, such thatthe dispensing interface 25 may extend transversely across the channel20 between opposing portions of the reservoir 23. The dispensinginterface 25 is configured to draw pre-vapor formulation from thereservoir 23.

The heater 24 is coupled to the dispensing interface 25 and isconfigured to generate heat. As shown in the example embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1B, the heater 24 may extend transversely across thechannel 20 between opposing portions of the reservoir 23. In someexample embodiments, the heater 24 may extend parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the central channel 20.

The dispensing interface 25 is configured to draw pre-vapor formulationfrom the reservoir 23, such that the pre-vapor formulation may bevaporized from the dispensing interface 25 based on heating of thedispensing interface 25 by the heater 24.

During vaping, pre-vapor formulation may be transferred from thereservoir 23 and/or storage medium in the proximity of the heater 24 viacapillary action of a dispensing interface 25. The dispensing interface25 may include a first end portion and a second end portion. The firstand second end portions of the dispensing interface 25 may extend intoopposite sides of the reservoir 23. Dispensing interface 25 end portionsmay be referred to herein as roots. The heater 24 may at least partiallysurround a central portion of the dispensing interface 25 such that whenthe heater 24 is activated to generate heat, the pre-vapor formulationin the central portion of the dispensing interface 25 may be vaporizedby the heater 24 to form a vapor. The central portion of a dispensinginterface 25 may be referred to herein as a trunk.

The reservoir 23 may include a pre-vapor formulation which is free offlavorants, such that when the vaporizer assembly 22 forms a vapor 95,via vaporization of a pre-vapor formulation by the heater 24, the vapor95 may be substantially absent of flavor, thereby being a “raw vapor.”Such an absence of flavorants in the reservoir 23 of the vaporizerassembly 22 may result in mitigation of chemical reactions betweenpre-vapor formulation materials and the flavorants in the reservoir 23and upon vaporization as a result of heating of the pre-vaporformulation by the heater 24.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the flavor assembly 14 ispositioned between the vaporizer assembly 22 and the outlet end insert19. The flavor assembly 14 is configured to form a flavored vapor 97based on elution of a flavorant into a raw vapor 95 formed by thevaporizer assembly 22.

The flavor assembly 14 is positioned in flow communication with both thevaporizer assembly 22 and the outlet end insert 19. The cartridge 70 maybe configured to direct raw vapors 95 formed by the vaporizer assembly22 to exit the cartridge 70 via the outlets 21. The cartridge 70 mayfurther be configured to direct the raw vapors 95 to pass in flowcommunication with the flavor assembly 14 towards the outlets 21.Passing in flow communication with the flavor assembly 14 may includepassing through at least a portion of the flavor assembly 14.

The flavor assembly 14, as discussed further below, may include a porousstructure. The porous structure ay hold a flavorant in flowcommunication with the vaporizer assembly 22, so that raw vapors 95formed by the vaporizer assembly 22 and passing through the flavorassembly 14 may pass at least partially through the porous structure andin flow communication with the flavorants held by the porous structure.The raw vapor 95 may act as an eluent, eluting the flavorant from theporous structure and into the raw vapor 95 to form an eluate. The eluatemay include the raw vapor and the flavorant. Such an eluate may bereferred to as the flavored vapor 97

In some example embodiments, the flavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95are in a particulate phase. A particulate phase may include a liquidphase, solid phase, or the like. In some example embodiments, theflavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95 are in a vapor phase, gas phase,etc. A flavorant may include a volatile flavor substance, and thevolatile flavor substance may be eluted into the raw vapor 95. In someexample embodiments, a flavorant eluted into the raw vapor 95 includes anonvolatile flavor substance.

In some example embodiments, when the flavor assembly 14 holds theflavorant separate from the vaporizer assembly 22 and the cartridge 70is configured to direct raw vapors through the flavor assembly 14subsequent to formation of the raw vapor 95, the raw vapor 95 may becooled from an initial temperature at formation in the vaporizerassembly 22. Where the raw vapor 95 passing through the flavor assembly14 is cooled from the initial temperature, chemical reactions betweenthe flavorants eluted into the raw vapor 95 and the elements of the rawvapor 95 may be at least partially mitigated, thereby mitigating a lossof desired flavor in the flavored vapor 97.

In some example embodiments, when the e-vaping device 10 includes aflavor assembly 14 that holds a flavorant separate from the vaporizerassembly 22, the e-vaping device 10 may be configured to mitigate aprobability of chemical reactions between the flavorant and one or moreelements of the vaporizer assembly 22. An absence of such chemicalreactions may result in an absence of reaction products in the flavoredvapor 9. Such reaction products may detract from a sensory experienceprovided by the flavored vapor 97. As a result, an e-vaping device 10that is configured to mitigate the probability of such chemicalreactions may provide a more consistent and improved sensory experiencethrough the flavored vapor 97.

In some example embodiments, a flavor assembly 14 is configured to coola raw vapor 95 passing through the flavor assembly 14. The flavorassembly 14 may cool a raw vesper 95 based on heat transfer from the rawvapor 95 to at least one of the flavorant eluted into the raw vapor 95and a material included in the flavor assembly 14. In some exampleembodiments, the transfer of heat from a raw vapor 95 into at least oneof the flavorant and a material included in the flavor assembly 14increases the amount of flavorant eluted into the raw vapor 95. Aflavored vapor 97 having an increased amount of eluted flavorant mayprovide an improved sensory experience. In some example embodiments, aflavored vapor 97 exiting the flavor assembly 14 may be cooler than araw vapor 95 entering the flavor assembly 14. A flavored vapor 97 thatis cooler than the raw vapor entering the flavor assembly 14 may providean improved sensory experience based on the reduced temperature of theflavored vapor 97.

In some example embodiments, the flavorants included in an e-vapingdevice 10 may be replaceable independently of the pre-vapor formulationin the cartridge 70, as the flavorants are included in a flavor assembly14 that is separate from the vaporizer assembly 22 in which thepre-vapor formulation is included. The flavor assembly 14 may bereplaced with another flavor assembly 14 to swap the flavorant includedin the e-vaping device 10 as desired by an adult wiper. The flavorassembly 14 may be replaced with another flavor assembly 14 to replenishflavorants in the e-vaping device 10 without replacing a vaporizerassembly 22, where the vaporizer assembly 22 may include sufficientpre-vapor formulation to support additional vaping.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the cartridge 70 includes aconnector element 91 configured to at least partially establishelectrical connections between elements in the cartridge 70 with one ormore elements in the power supply section 72. In some exampleembodiments, the connector element 91 includes an electrode elementconfigured to electrically couple at least one electrical lead to thepower supply 12 in the power supply section when interfaces 74, 84 arecoupled together. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A andFIG. 1B, for example, electrical lead 26-1 is coupled to connectorelement 91. An electrode element may be one or more of a cathodeconnector element and an anode connector element. If and/or wheninterfaces 74, 84 are coupled together, the connector element 91 may becoupled with at least one portion of the power supply 12, as shown inFIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, one or more of the interfaces 74, 84include one or more of a cathode connector element and an anodeconnector element. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, forexample, electrical lead 26-2 is coupled to the interface 74. As furthershown in FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72 includes a lead 92 thatcouples the control circuitry 11 to the interface 84. If and/or wheninterfaces 74, 84 are coupled together, the coupled interfaces 74, 84may electrically couple leads 26-2 and 92 together.

If and/or when an element in the cartridge 70 is coupled to both leads26-1 and 26-2, an electrical circuit through the cartridge 70 and powersupply section 72 may be established. The established electrical circuitmay include at least the element in the cartridge 70, control circuitry11, and the power supply 12. The electrical circuit may include leads26-1 and 26-2, lead 92, and interfaces 74, 84.

In the example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, heater 24is coupled to interface 74 and connector element 91, such that theheater 24 may be electrically coupled to the power supply 12 viainterface 74 and connector element 91 if and/or when interfaces 74, 84are coupled together.

The control circuitry 11, described further below, is configured to becoupled to the power supply 12, such that the control circuitry 11 maycontrol the supply of electrical power from the power supply 12 to oneor more elements of the cartridge 70. The control circuitry 11 maycontrol the supply of electrical power to the element based oncontrolling the established electrical circuit. For example, the controlcircuitry 11 may selectively open or close the electrical circuit,adjustably control an electrical current through the circuit, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the power supply section 72includes a sensor 13 responsive to air drawn into the power supplysection 72 via an air inlet port 44a adjacent to a free end or tip endof the e-vaping device 10, at least one power supply 12, and controlcircuitry 11. The power supply 12 may include a rechargeable battery.The sensor 13 may be one or more of a pressure sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, etc.

In some example embodiments, the power supply 12 includes a batteryarranged in the e-vaping device 10 such that the anode is downstream ofthe cathode. A connector element 91 contacts the downstream end of thebattery.

The power supply 12 may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants,for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the powersupply 12 may be a nickel--metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmiumbattery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery or a fuelcell. The e-vaping device 10 may be usable by an adult vaper until theenergy in the power supply 12 is depleted or in the case of lithiumpolymer battery, a minimum voltage cut-off level is achieved.

Further, the power supply 12 may be rechargeable and may includecircuitry configured to allow the battery to be chargeable by anexternal charging device. To recharge the e-vaping device 10, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) charger or other suitable charger assemblymay be used.

Upon completing the connection between the cartridge 70 and the powersupply section 72, the at least one power supply 12 may be electricallyconnected with the heater 24 of the cartridge 70 upon actuation of thesensor 13. Air is drawn primarily into the cartridge 70 through one ormore air inlet ports 44. The one or more air inlet ports 44 may belocated along the outer housing 16, 17 of the first and second sections70, 72 or at one or more of the coupled interfaces 74, 84.

The sensor 13 may be configured to sense an air pressure drop andinitiate application of voltage from the power supply 12 to the heater24. As shown in the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, someexample embodiments of the power supply section 72 include a heateractivation light 48 configured to glow when the heater 24 is activated.The heater activation light 48 may include a light emitting diode (LED).Moreover, the heater activation light 48 may be arranged to be visibleto an adult vapor during vaping. In addition, the heater activationlight 48 may be utilized for e-vaping system diagnostics or to indicatethat recharging is in progress. The heater activation light 48 may alsobe configured such that the adult vaper may activate and/or deactivatethe heater activation light 48 for privacy. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG.1B, the heater activation light 48 may be located on the tip end of thee-vaping device 10. In some example embodiments, the heater activationlight 48 may be located on a side portion of the outer housing 17.

In addition, the at least one air inlet port 44a may be located adjacentto the sensor 13, such that the sensor 13 may sense air flow indicativeof vapor being drawn through the outlet end of the e-vaping device. Thesensor 13 may activate the power supply 12 and the heater activationlight 48 to indicate that the heater 24 is activated.

Further, the control circuitry 11 may control the supply of electricalpower to the heater 24 responsive to the sensor 13. In some exampleembodiments, the control circuitry 11 may include a maximum, time-periodlimiter. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11 mayinclude a manually operable switch for an adult vapor to manuallyinitiate vaping. The time-period of the electric current supply to theheater 24 may be pre-set depending on the amount of pre-vaporformulation desired to be vaporized. In some example embodiments, thecontrol circuitry 11 may control the supply of electrical power to theheater 24 as long as the sensor 13 detects a pressure drop.

To control the supply of electrical power to a heater 24, the controlcircuitry 11 may execute one or more instances of computer-executableprogram code. The control circuitry 11 may include a processor and amemory. The memory may be a computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-executable code.

The control circuitry 11 may include processing circuity including, butnot limited to, a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), acontroller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor,a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aSystem-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, orany other device capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)and an ASIC chip.

The control circuitry 11 may be configured as a special purpose machineby executing computer-readable program code stored on a storage device.The program code may include program or computer-readable instructions,software elements, software modules, data files, data structures, and/orthe like, capable of being implemented by one or more hardware devices,such as one or more of the control circuitry mentioned above. Examplesof program code include both machine code produced by a compiler andhigher level program code that is executed using an interpreter.

The control circuitry 11 may include one or more storage devices. Theone or more storage devices may be tangible or non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM),read only memory (ROM), a permanent mass storage device (such as a diskdrive), solid state (e.g., NAND flash) device, and/or any other likedata storage mechanism capable of storing and recording data. The one ormore storage devices may be configured to store computer programs,program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for one or moreoperating systems and/or for implementing the example embodimentsdescribed herein. The computer programs, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, may also be loaded from a separate computerreadable storage medium into the one or more storage devices and/or oneor more computer processing devices using a drive mechanism. Suchseparate computer readable storage medium may include a USB flash drive,a memory stick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or otherlike computer readable storage media. The computer programs, programcode, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into theone or more storage devices and/or the one or more computer processingdevices from a remote data storage device via a network interface,rather than via a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally,the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combinationthereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or theone or more processors from a remote computing system that is configuredto transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, over a network. The remotecomputing system may transfer and/or distribute the computer programs,program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wiredinterface, an air interface, and/or any other like medium.

The control circuitry 11 may be a special purpose machine configured toexecute the computer-executable code to control the supply of electricalpower to the heater 24. Controlling the supply of electrical power tothe heater 24 may be referred to herein interchangeably as activatingthe heater 24.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, when the heater 24 is activated,the activated heater 24 may heat a portion of a dispensing interface 25surrounded by the heater 24 for less than about 10 seconds. Thus, thepower cycle (or maximum vaping length) may range in period from about 2seconds to about 10 seconds (e.g., about 3 seconds to about 9 seconds,about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds or about 5 seconds to about 7seconds).

The pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials thatmay be transformed into a vapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulationmay be a liquid, solid and/or gel formulation including, but not limitedto, water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts,natural or artificial flavors, and/or pre-vapor formulations such asglycerin and propylene glycol. The pre-vapor formulation may includethose described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0020823to Lipowicz et al. filed Jul. 16, 2014 and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0313275 to Anderson et al. filed Jan. 21, 2015, theentire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by referencethereto.

In some example embodiments, the pre-vapor formulation is one or more ofpropylene glycol, glycerin and combinations thereof.

The pre-vapor formulation may include nicotine or may exclude nicotine.The pre-vapor formulation may include one or more tobacco flavors. Thepre-vapor formulation may include one or more flavors which are separatefrom one or more tobacco flavors.

In some example embodiments, a pre-vapor formulation that includesnicotine may also include one or more acids. The one or more acids maybe one or more of pyruvic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid,acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, propionic acid, octanoicacid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaricacid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconiticacid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, decanoic acid,3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoicacid, 3-hexenoic acid, trans-2-hexenoic acid, isobutyric acid, lauricacid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylvaleric acid, myristic acid,nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-penenoic acid, phenylacetic acid,3-phenylpropionic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuricacid and combinations thereof.

In some example embodiments, a raw vapor 95 formed at the vaporizerassembly 22 may be substantially free of one or more materials being ina gas phase. For example, the raw vapor 95 may include one or morematerials substantially in a particulate phase and substantially not ina gas phase.

The storage medium of the reservoir 23 may be a fibrous materialincluding at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon andcombinations thereof. The fibers may have a diameter ranging in sizefrom about 6 microns to about 15 microns (e.g., about 8 microns to about12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The storage mediummay be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may besized to be irrespirable and may have a cross-section which has aY-shape, cross shape, clover shape or any other suitable shape. In someexample embodiments, the reservoir 23 may include a filled tank lackingany storage medium and containing only pre-vapor formulation.

The reservoir 23 may be sized and configured to hold enough pre-vaporformulation such that the e-vaping device 10 may be configured forvaping for at least about 200 seconds. The e-vaping device 10 may beconfigured to allow each vaping to last a maximum of about 5 seconds.

The dispensing interface 25 may include a wick. The dispensing interface25 may include filaments (or threads) having a capacity to draw thepre-vapor formulation. For example, a dispensing interface 25 may be awick that is be a bundle of glass (or ceramic) filaments, a bundleincluding a group of windings of glass filaments, etc., all of whicharrangements may be capable of drawing pre-vapor formulation viacapillary action by interstitial spacings between the filaments. Thefilaments may be generally aligned in a direction perpendicular(transverse) to the longitudinal direction of the e-vaping device 10. Insome example embodiments, the dispensing interface 25 may include one toeight filament strands, each strand comprising a plurality of glassfilaments twisted together. The end portions of the dispensing interface25 may be flexible and foldable into the confines of the reservoir 23.The filaments may have a cross-section that is generally cross-shaped,clover-shaped, Y-shaped, or in any other suitable shape.

The dispensing interface 25 may include any suitable material orcombination of materials, also referred to herein as wicking materials.Examples of suitable materials may be, but not limited to, glass,ceramic- or graphite-based materials. The dispensing interface 25 mayhave any suitable capillary drawing action to accommodate pre-vaporformulations having different physical properties such as density,viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure.

In some example embodiments, the heater 24 may include a wire coil whichat least partially surrounds the dispensing interface 25 in thevaporizer assembly 22. The wire may be a metal wire and the wire coilmay extend fully or partially along the length of the dispensinginterface. The wire coil may further extend fully or partially aroundthe circumference of the dispensing interface 25. In some exampleembodiments, the wire coil may be isolated from direct contact with thedispensing interface 25.

The heater 24 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistivematerials. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials mayinclude, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metalsfrom the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include, butnot limited to, stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium,aluminum-titanium-zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum,tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese and iron-containing alloys, andsuper-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. Forexample, the heater 24 may be formed of nickel aluminide, a materialwith a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminide and othercomposite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionallybe embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material orvice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and theexternal physicochemical properties required. The heater 24 may includeat least one material selected from the group consisting of stainlesssteel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, super alloys andcombinations thereof. In some example embodiments, the heater 24 may beformed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In someexample embodiments, the heater 24 may be a ceramic heater having anelectrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

The heater 24 may heat a pre-vapor formulation in the dispensinginterface 25 by thermal conduction. Alternatively, heat from the heater24 may be conducted to the pre-vapor formulation by means of a heatconductive element or the heater 24 may transfer heat to the incomingambient air that is drawn through the e-vaping device 10 during vaping,which in turn heats the pre-vapor formulation by convection.

It should be appreciated that, instead of using a dispensing interface25, the vaporizer assembly 22 may include a heater 24 that is a porousmaterial which incorporates a resistance heater formed of a materialhaving a high electrical resistance capable of generating heat quickly.

In some example embodiments, the cartridge 70 may be replaceable. Inother words, once one of the flavorant or the pre-vapor formulation ofthe cartridge is depleted, only the cartridge 70 may be replaced. Insome example embodiments, the entire e-vaping device 10 may be disposedonce one of the reservoir 23 or the flavor assembly 14 is depleted.

In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may be about 80 mmto about 110 mm long and about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. Forexample, in some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may beabout 84 mm long and may have a diameter of about 7.8 mm.

As used herein, the term “flavorant” is used to describe a compound orcombination of compounds that may provide flavor and/or aroma to anadult vaper. In some example embodiments, a flavorant is configured tointeract with at least one adult vaper sensory receptor. A flavorant maybe configured to interact with the sensory receptor via at least one oforthonasal stimulation and retronasal stimulation. A flavorant mayinclude one or more volatile flavor substances.

The at least one flavorant may include one or more of a naturalflavorant or an artificial (“synthetic”) flavorant. The at least oneflavorant may include one or more plant extract materials. In someexample embodiments, the at least one flavorant is one or more oftobacco flavor, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, herb flavors, fruitflavors, nut flavors, liquor flavors, and combinations thereof. In someexample embodiments, the flavorant is included in a botanical material.A botanical material may include material of one or more plants. Abotanical material may include one or more herbs, spices, fruits, roots,leaves, grasses, or the like. For example, a botanical material mayinclude orange rind material and sweetgrass material. In anotherexample, a botanical material may include tobacco material. In someexample embodiments, a flavorant that is a tobacco flavor (a “tobaccoflavorant”) includes at least one of a synthetic material and a plantextract material. A plant extract material included in a tobaccoflavorant may be an extract from one or more tobacco materials.

In some example embodiments, a tobacco material may include materialfrom any member of the genus Nicotiana. In some example embodiments, thetobacco material includes a blend of two or more different tobaccovarieties. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that may beused include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Burleytobacco, Dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco,specialty tobacco, blends thereof and the like. The tobacco material maybe provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobaccolamina, processed tobacco materials, such as volume expanded or puffedtobacco, processed tobacco stems, such cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems,reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, and the like. In someexample embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of asubstantially dry tobacco mass.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flavor assembly 14 according to someexample embodiments. The flavor assembly 14 shown in FIG. 2 may beincluded in any of the embodiments included herein, including the flavorassembly 14 shown in FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, a flavor assembly includes a containmentstructure that encloses a porous structure in which one or moreflavorants are included. The flavorants may be infused in the materialof the porous structure. The porous structure may draw the flavorantsfrom one or more reservoirs into the porous structure. The flavorassembly may be configured to direct a raw vapor to pass through theporous structure to elute the flavorants from the porous structure andinto the raw vapor to form a flavored vapor.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, a flavorassembly 14 includes a containment structure 201 that at least partiallyencloses a porous structure 202. In some example embodiments, thecontainment structure 201 may be a bag that includes the porousstructure 202 and one or more flavorants. The containment structure 201may be a porous containment structure 201. A material of the containmentstructure 201 (e.g., bag) may include at least one of porous aluminum,perforated aluminum foil, nylon, filter paper, silk, plastic, andcellulose acetate. The material of the containment structure 201 mayporous and/or perforated.

The porous structure 202 may hold one or more flavorants. The porousstructure 202 may be configured to enable vapors, including a raw vapor95, to pass through the porous structure 202, such that the raw vapor 95passes in flow communication with the flavorants held in the porousstructure 202 to elute the flavorants. The porous structure 202 and thecontainment structure 201 may include different materials.

In some example embodiments, encapsulating one or more flavorants in acontainment structure 201 may enable reduction of the migration of theflavorants to other portions of a cartridge 70, e-vaping device 10, etc.in which the flavor assembly 14 is included. Thus, in some exampleembodiments, by using a flavor assembly 14 to store at least oneflavorant separate from the pre-vapor formulation in a vaporizerassembly 22, the shelf-life of a cartridge 70, e-vaping device 10, etc.may be improved and the migration of flavorants in the cartridge 70,e-vaping device 10, etc. may be reduced.

The flavor assembly 14 may include a reservoir 204. The reservoir 204may hold one or more flavorants, and optionally a storage mediumconfigured to store the one or more flavorants therein. The storagemedium may include a winding of cotton gauze or other fibrous materialabout a portion of the cartridge 70 illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

The storage medium of the reservoir 204 may be a fibrous materialincluding at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon andcombinations thereof. The fibers ay have a diameter ranging in size fromabout 6 microns to about 15 microns (e.g., about 8 microns to about 12microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The storage medium maybe a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may be sizedto be irrespirable and may have a cross-section which has a Y-shape,cross shape, clover shape or any other suitable shape. In some exampleembodiments, the reservoir 204 may include a filled tank lacking anystorage medium and containing only one or more flavorants.

In some example embodiments, one or more portions of the porousstructure 202 extend into the reservoir 204 and are configured to drawthe flavorants from the reservoir and into the porous structure 202. Theporous structure 202 may include a wicking material configured to drawflavorant from the reservoir 204, such that the flavorant is held withinthe wicking material and may be eluted from the wicking material basedon a raw vapor passing through the porous structure. During vaping,flavorant may be transferred from the reservoir 204 and/or storagemedium to the porous structure 202 via capillary action of a wickingmaterial of the porous structure 202.

The porous structure 202 may include filaments (or threads) configuredto draw flavorants from the reservoir 204. For example, a porousstructure 202 may include a wicking material that may be a bundle ofglass (or ceramic) filaments, a bundle including a group of windings ofglass filaments, etc., all of which arrangements may be capable ofdrawing flavorant via capillary action by interstitial spacings betweenthe filaments. In some example embodiments, the wicking material mayinclude one to eight filament strands, each strand comprising aplurality of glass filaments twisted together. The filaments may have across-section that is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped,or in any other suitable shape.

The porous structure 202 may include glass, ceramic- or graphite-basedmaterials. In some example embodiments, the porous structure includesmaterial which is substantially inert to chemically reacting with one ormore of the flavorants. In some example embodiments, the porousstructure 202 includes material which is substantially inert tochemically reacting with the raw vapor. The porous structure 202 mayhave any suitable capillarity drawing action to accommodate flavorantshaving different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surfacetension and vapor pressure.

In some example embodiments, the reservoir 204 is absent from the flavorassembly 14, and the porous structure 202 includes one or moreflavorants infused into one or more of the materials of the porousstructure 202. In some example embodiments, the porous structure 202includes a botanical material which includes the one or more flavorants,and the one or more flavorants are eluted into a raw vapor in responseto the raw vapor passing in flow communication with the botanicalmaterial included in the porous structure 202, though the botanicalmaterial included in the porous structure 202, etc.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly 14 is configured todirect a raw vapor 95 to pass through the porous structure 202. As shownin FIG. 2, for example, the flavor assembly 14 may include a reservoir204 having a tubular body, where a hollow core 206 of the tubular bodyextends longitudinally through the reservoir 204. As shown, the flavorassembly 14 may include a tube 207 extending along the inner surface ofthe reservoir 204, such that an inner surface of the tube 207 at leastpartially defines an outer boundary of the hollow space 206. The tube207 may include one or more materials configured to inhibit permeationof flavorants from the reservoir 204 to the hollow space 206 through thetube 207. The tube 207 may restrict flavorants held in the reservoir 204to being drawn into the porous structure 202 instead of permeatingdirectly from the reservoir 204 to a raw vapor 95 passing through thehollow space 206.

As further shown, the porous structure 202 may extend transversely alongone end of the reservoir 204, so that the porous structure 202 extendsover one end of the hollow core 206. The hollow core 206 may establish aconduit through the flavor assembly 14 from a vaporizer assembly 22 toan opening of an e-vaping device 10, such that a raw vapor 95 formed atthe vaporizer assembly 22 is directed to flow through the hollow core206 to be drawn through one or more outlet ports 21 of the e-vapingdevice 10. Based on the porous structure 202 extending over an end ofthe hollow core 206, the raw vapor 95 may be directed to pass throughthe porous structure 202 to pass through the hollow core 206, therebyenabling flavorants held in the porous structure 202 to be eluted intothe raw vapor 95 to form a flavored vapor 97.

In some example embodiments, the tube 207 is absent from the flavorassembly 14 and the porous structure 202 extends around an inner surfaceof the reservoir 204 in place of the tube 207 shown in FIG. 2, such thatthe porous structure 202 at least partially defines the outer boundaryof the hollow space 206. Raw vapor 95 may pass through the hollow space206 and elute flavorant from the porous structure 202.

In some example embodiments, the flavor assembly 14 is configured todirect a raw vapor 95 to pass along an outer surface of the porousstructure 202. The hollow core 206 may be absent, for example, such thatthe raw vapor 95 may be directed to pass, through one or more flowpathways 241A and 241B, along an outer surface of the porous structure202.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a porous structure 202 for a flavorassembly according to some example embodiments. The porous structure 202shown in FIG. 3 may be included in any of the embodiments includedherein, including the porous structure 202 shown in FIG. 2.

In some example embodiments, the porous structure 202 included in aflavor assembly includes a three-dimensional (3D) network of material.The 3D network of the material may include a mesh structure of thematerial, a loosely-packed structure of the material, etc. The materialmay hold one or more flavorants within the material, on one or moresurfaces of the material, etc. The material may be substantially inertto one or more flavorants, raw vapors, etc.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the porousstructure 202 may include a 3D network structure of a material 310. Thematerial 310 may be substantially inert to chemical reaction with one ormore of the raw vapor 95, one or more of the flavorants 320, etc. One ormore flavorants 320 may be held by one or more portions of the material310. In the illustrated example embodiment, the flavorants 320 are heldon external surfaces of the material 310. It will be understood that, insome example embodiments, one or more flavorants 320 may be held withinthe material 310. For example, one or more flavorants 320 may be infusedwithin the material 310.

As shown in FIG. 3, the porous structure 202 is permeable to a raw vapor95. The raw vapor 95 may pass through the porous structure 202, suchthat the raw vapor 95 passes in flow communication with some or all ofthe material 310 included in the 3D network. For example, the raw vapor95 may pass in contact with at least some of the material 310. The rawvapor 95 passing in flow communication with the material 310 may eluteat least some of the flavorants 320 held by the material 310, such thatthe raw vapor 95 exits the porous structure 202 as a flavored vapor 97eluate, the flavored vapor 97 including the elements of the raw vapor 95and the flavorants 320. In some example embodiments, the elutedflavorants 320 are tied to one or more particles 332 included in the rawvapor 95. In some example embodiments, the eluted flavorants 320 are ina gas phase or vapor phase, independently of one or more particles 332included in the raw vapor 95, such that the flavored vapor 97 is amixture of raw vapor 95 particles 332 and flavorants 320.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a flavor assembly module 410 and avaporizer assembly module 420 according to some example embodiments.FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge formed via a couplingof a flavor assembly module and a vaporizer assembly module according tosome example embodiments. The cartridge 70 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4Bmay be included in any of the embodiments included herein, including thecartridge 70 of the e-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Insome example embodiments, the cartridge 70 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4Bmay be coupled with a power supply section 7 2 illustrated in FIG. 1Aand FIG. 1B to form an e-vaping device 10.

In some example embodiments, a cartridge 70 may include multiple modulesthat may be coupled together to configure the cartridge to provide aflavored vapor. The flavor assembly may be included in a flavor assemblymodule. The flavor assembly module may be configured to be removablycoupled to a vaporizer assembly module. The vaporizer assembly modulemay include a vaporizer assembly. The flavor assembly module may bedecoupled from the vaporizer assembly module, swapped for a differentflavor assembly module, etc. Different flavor assembly modules mayinclude different flavor assemblies, different flavorants, differentvolatile flavor substances, some combination thereof, etc. Differentflavor assemblies may be configured to form different flavored vaporsassociated with different flavors. As a result, swapping differentflavor assemblies in a cartridge may enable an adult vaper to swapflavors associated with the flavored vapors provided to the adult vaperduring vaping independently of swapping entire cartridges, therebyimproving the sensory experience of the adult wiper during vaping.

As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a cartridge 70 may include a flavorassembly module 410 and a vaporizer assembly module 420. Modules 410,420 may be coupled together via complimentary interfaces 416, 426. Itwill be understood that the interfaces 416, 426 may include any of thetypes of interfaces described herein. Each module 410, 420 may include arespective housing 411, 421.

The vaporizer assembly module 420 may include a vaporizer assembly 22within the housing 421. The vaporizer assembly 22 shown in FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B may be the vaporizer assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the interface 426 of module 420 mayinclude a conduit 427, such that the vaporizer assembly 22 held withinthe housing 421 of the module 420 is held in flow communication with anexterior of the module 420. The vaporizer assembly module 420 mayinclude a cartridge interface 74 at one end distal from the interface426. The cartridge interface 74 may be configured to electrically couplethe vaporizer assembly 22 with a power supply included in a separatepower supply section of an e-vaping device.

The flavor assembly module 410 may include a flavor assembly 14 withinthe housing 411. The flavor assembly 14 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B maybe the flavor assembly 14 shown in any of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 413, the interface 416 of module 410 mayinclude a conduit 417. The conduit 417 may extend between the interface416 and the interior of the housing 411, such that the flavor assembly14 held within the housing 411 of the module 410 is held in flowcommunication with an exterior of the module 410 through the conduit417. The interior of the housing 411 may be referred to herein as aflavor assembly compartment 413. The flavor assembly module 410 mayinclude an outlet end insert 19 at an outlet end of the module 410 and aset of one or more outlet ports 21 in the insert 19.

As shown in FIG. 413, when the modules 410, 420 are coupled viainterfaces 416, 426, the modules 410, 420 may form a cartridge 70, wherethe cartridge includes an outlet end insert 19 at an outlet end and anelectrical interface 74 at a tip end. The cartridge 70 may furtherinclude the flavor assembly 14 being held in flow communication with thevaporizer assembly 22 via a conduit 437 in coupled interfaces 416, 426.In some example embodiments, the conduit 437 may be a combination ofconduits 417 and 427 In some example embodiments, the conduit 437 is oneor more of conduits 417 and 427. For example, in some exampleembodiments, the conduit 437 is the conduit 417 extending between theinterface 416 and the flavor assembly compartment 413 within the housing411. The cartridge 70 may further include the flavor assembly 14 beingin flow communication with the outlet ports 21, such that raw vaporsgenerated by the vaporizer assembly 22 may pass out of the cartridge 70by following a pathway extending through the flavor assembly 14 to theoutlet ports 21. The flavor assembly compartment 413 within the housing411 may direct raw vapor received into the flavor assembly compartment413 through the conduit 437 to pass through the flavor assembly 14.

As shown, the flavor assembly module 410 may be configured to restrictflow communication through the module 410 to be through the flavorassembly 14, such that raw vapors passing from the vaporizer assembly 22to the outlet ports 21 in the formed cartridge 70 are restricted topassing through the flavor assembly 14. The module 410 housing 411 maybe sized to establish physical contact with the outer surfaces of theflavor assembly 14.

In some example embodiments, the cartridge 70 includes an opening viawhich a flavor assembly 14 may be inserted or removed from the module410. The cartridge 70 may include a hatch (not shown) which may beoperable to selectively expose or seal the module 410 interior from anexterior environment to enable the flavor assembly 14 to selectivelyseal the module 410 interior from the exterior environment based on theflavor assembly 14 being inserted into the module 410 interior.

The flavor assembly module 410 may be configured to be removably coupledwith the module 420, so that flavor assembly modules 410 may be swappedfrom the module 420.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device according to someexample embodiments. The e-vaping device 10 shown in. FIG. 5 may beincluded in any of the embodiments included herein, including thee-vaping device 10 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, an e-vaping device 10 may include a flavorassembly compartment 510 and a vaporizer assembly compartment 520. Thee-vaping device 10 may be configured to removably receive a flavorassembly 14 into the flavor assembly compartment 510. The e-vapingdevice 10 may be configured to removably receive a vaporizer assembly 22into the vaporizer assembly compartment 520.

The e-vaping device 10 may include a partition 525 between thecompartments 510, 520. The partition 525 may include a conduit 530 whichextends through the partition 525 and is in flow communication with boththe flavor assembly compartment 510 and the vaporizer assemblycompartment 520, so that a flavor assembly 14 inserted into the flavorassembly compartment 510 is held in flow communication with a vaporizerassembly 22 inserted into the vaporizer assembly compartment 22.

In some example embodiments, one or more of the compartments 510, 520includes a hatch (not shown in FIG. 5) in an outer housing 501 of thee-vaping device. A hatch in the housing 501 may be in communication witha particular compartment of the compartments 510, 520. A hatch incommunication with a given compartment 510, 520 may selectively seal orexpose the interior of the compartment 510, 520. The hatch may be openedto permit a flavor assembly 14 or vaporizer assembly 22 to be insertedor removed from the given compartment.

In some example embodiments, one or more of the flavor assembly 14 andthe vaporizer assembly 22 are shaped to complete a sealing of thecompartments 510, 520 when the one or more of the flavor assembly 14 andthe vaporizer assembly 22 are inserted into the respective compartments510, 520.

The e-vaping device 10 may include a power supply section 72, where thepower supply section 72 includes a power supply 12. Cartridge 70 andpower supply section 72 may be coupled via complementary interfaces 74,84. The vaporizer assembly compartment 520 may include an electricalinterface 541 which is coupled to the power supply 12 via one or more ofinterfaces 74, 84. The compartment 520 may electrically couple thevaporizer assembly 22 to the power supply 12 via the electricalinterface 541.

In some example embodiments, interfaces 74, 84 are absent and thesections 70, 72 are irremovably coupled together.

The e-vaping device 10 may include an outlet end insert 19 at an outletend of the e-vaping device 10. The outlet end insert 19 may be in flowcommunication with the compartment 510, such that a flavored vaporpassing out of a flavor assembly 14 in the compartment 510 may pass outof the e-vaping device 10 via a set of one or more outlets 21 in theoutlet end insert 19.

In some embodiments, the compartments 510, 520 are configured tocomplete a sealing of the flavor assembly 14 and vaporizer assembly 22within the housing of the e-vaping device 10, such that raw vapors andflavored vapors passing through portions of the e-vaping device 10 arerestricted from exiting the e-vaping device via conduits other than theoutlet end insert 19.

The flavor assembly 14 and the vaporizer assembly 22 may beindependently swapped for additional respective flavor assemblies 14 andvaporizer assemblies 22 from the respective compartments 510, 520. Thus,different flavor assemblies 14 which include different flavorants, andthus are configured to form different flavored vapors, may be swappedout from the flavor assembly compartment 510 as desired.

An adult vaper may swap a flavor assembly 14 in response to a depletionof flavorants in the flavor assembly 14, in response to a desire of theadult vaper to switch out the flavored vapor enabled by the flavorassembly 14 for another flavored vapor enabled by another vapor assembly14, some combination thereof, etc. In addition, because the flavoredassembly 14 may be swapped out of the e-vaping device 10 independentlyfrom the vaporizer assembly 22, the vaporizer assembly 22 may remain inuse in the e-vaping device 10 as long as the vaporizer assembly 22includes sufficient pre-vapor formulation to form a vapor.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would beobvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A cartridge for an electronic vaping device (EVD), thecartridge comprising: a vaporizer assembly configured to form a rawvapor; and a flavor assembly removably coupled to the vaporizer assemblysuch that the flavor assembly is in flow communication with thevaporizer assembly, the flavor assembly enclosing a porous structure,the porous structure holding at least one flavorant, the flavor assemblybeing configured to form a flavored vapor based on elution of the atleast one flavorant into the raw vapor, the elution being based on theraw vapor passing through the porous structure.
 2. The cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the porous structure includes a three-dimensional (3D)network of material.
 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the materialis substantially inert with respect to the raw vapor.
 4. The cartridgeof claim 2, wherein the material is at least partially infused with theat least one flavorant.
 5. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein thematerial includes at least one botanical substance, the at least onebotanical substance including the at least one flavorant.
 6. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the flavor assembly includes a reservoir,the reservoir being configured to hold the at least one flavorant; andthe porous structure includes a wicking material, the wicking materialbeing configured to draw the at least one flavorant from the reservoir.7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the reservoir is a hollow cylinderhaving an inner surface; and the porous structure extends along theinner surface of the reservoir.
 8. A flavor assembly, comprising: aporous structure configured to be removably coupled to a vaporizerassembly, the porous structure being configured to form a flavored vaporbased on elution of a flavorant into a raw vapor passing from thevaporizer assembly through the porous structure, the porous structureincluding, a three-dimensional (3D) network of material, the materialbeing substantially inert respective to the raw vapor; and at least oneflavorant held in flow communication with an external environment of theflavor assembly by the 3D network of material.
 9. The flavor assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the material is at least partially infused with the atleast one flavorant.
 10. The flavor assembly of claim 8, wherein thematerial includes at least one botanical substance, the at least onebotanical substance including the at least one flavorant.
 11. The flavorassembly of claim 8, further comprising: a reservoir, the reservoirbeing configured to hold the at least one flavorant; wherein the porousstructure includes a wicking material, the wicking material beingconfigured to draw the at least one flavorant from the reservoir. 12.The flavor assembly of claim 11, wherein the reservoir is a hollowcylinder having an inner surface; and the porous structure extends alongthe inner surface of the reservoir.
 13. The flavor assembly of claim 8,wherein the flavor assembly is configured to be removably inserted intoa flavor assembly compartment of an e-vaping device such that the flavorassembly is held in flow communication with a vaporizer assembly of thee-vaping device, and the porous structure is configured to direct rawvapors formed by the vaporizer assembly through the 3D network ofmaterial, such that the at least one flavorant is eluted from the 3Dnetwork of material and into the raw vapors to form flavored vapors. 14.A flavor assembly module for an electronic vaping device (EVD), theflavor assembly module comprising: an interface configured to removablycouple with a vaporizer assembly; a flavor assembly compartmentconfigured to hold a flavor assembly; and a conduit extending betweenthe interface and the flavor assembly compartment, the conduitconfigured to direct raw vapor from the vapor assembly to the flavorassembly compartment; the flavor assembly compartment being configuredto direct the raw vapor received from the conduit to pass through theflavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes at least one flavorantfrom the flavor assembly to form a flavored vapor.
 15. The flavorassembly module of claim 14, wherein the flavor assembly compartment isconfigured to removably receive the flavor assembly.
 16. An e-vapingdevice, comprising: a vaporizer assembly compartment holding a vaporizerassembly,the vaporizer assembly being configured to form a raw vapor; aflavor assembly compartment holding a flavor assembly in flowcommunication with the vaporizer assembly, the flavor assembly enclosinga porous structure, the porous structure holding at least one flavorant;wherein the flavor assembly compartment is configured to direct the rawvapor through the flavor assembly, such that the raw vapor elutes the atleast one flavorant from the porous structure to form a flavored vapor;and a power supply section configured to selectively supply power to thevaporizer assembly.
 17. The e-vaping device of claim 16, wherein theporous structure includes a three-dimensional (3D) network of material.18. The e-vaping device of claim 17, wherein the material issubstantially inert with respect to the raw vapor.
 19. The e-vapingdevice of claim 17, wherein the material is at least partially infusedwith the at least one flavorant.
 20. The e-vaping device of claim 17,wherein the material includes at least one botanical substance, the atleast one botanical substance including the at least one flavorant. 21.The e-vaping device of claim 16, wherein the flavor assembly furtherincludes a reservoir, the reservoir being configured to hold the atleast one flavorant; and the porous structure includes a wickingmaterial, the wicking material being configured to draw the at least oneflavorant from the reservoir.
 22. The e-vaping device of claim 1,further comprising: a partition between the flavor assembly compartmentand the vaporizer assembly compartment, the partition including aconduit, the conduit extending through the partition and being in flowcommunication with both the flavor assembly compartment and thevaporizer assembly compartment.
 23. The e-vaping device of claim 16,wherein the flavor assembly compartment is configured to removablyreceive the flavor assembly.
 24. The e-vaping device of claim 23,wherein the vaporizer assembly compartment is configured to removablyreceive the vaporizer assembly.